Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-03-23

Is past. Cotton and rice are still great
factors In Sayanuan's prosperity, but
they are not the only ones"
IL IL this diversiflcation OF commercial
and industrial interests that have given
Savannah its new lite. The city now has
long list OF small factories, and many
small factories are much to be preferred
before few large ones. There are towns
in Georgia that built cotton factories a
dozen years or so ago and centred all the
towns business in that one line OF trade.
A poor cotton crop always came as u
tremendous blow to the prosperity of such
towns. The people mad no hope outside;
the cutting of one thread brought
1 trouble with penury, and the
worse than the first before the factories
came, for new population had been
drawn, and this meant increased losses Or
losses at least more widely extended. In
most instances the danger attending en-
terpriSes OF this character has been re-
moved, FOR the lesson of diversified invest.
ments has been learned generally. Sa.
vannah is beyond all threats from such
quarter Though New Orleans only is
greater cotton port, when toe cotton
season ends all her business life is not
over. And for this safety and tender TO
prosperity the spirit of the local Board
of Trade is cbiefiy to be thanked.
But this degree of accomplishment
could scarce have come had not especial
advantages been natural to the Old towns
site itself. 1t is because of her quality
as shipping port that so far she has
grown chiefly. Now the largest port of
the South Atlantic coast, the second cot
ton port OF America, and the first naval
stores port of the world, her cotton eX.
ports have risen from less than 900, 900
bales i'll 1872 to over 100000 bales in
1856; naval stores exports amounted to
less than $4,000 IN 1878, and last year
scaled So, PSI, 900; timber and lumber eX-
ports have risen during the last fifteen
years from 100000 to over $1,000, 900;
fruits from less than 100000 to $2,O0O,-
900; pig iron from $25,0 900 to $500 900
There is Significance in the last
ltem-that of pig iron. Savannah's
port is looming into con-
sequence that before this year is out
will link it closely to the Alabama iron
producing district. The Central Railroad
OF Georgia has just paid big price for
terminal faculties in Birmingham, and
direct line in operation between that iron
making centre and Savannah will not be
long delayed, If new Influences do not in
tertere, i'll tying the fortunes OF the two
towns closely together. A half dozen
roads In the Birmingham district are
likely TO make connection with the
Georgia Central more than ordinarily
close, for to every one of the old and new
lines the Central will offer the nearest and
shortest cut to a seaport most tavOrabIy
located for putting their frelRhts forward
by water to the Northern markets. One
road, now in course of construction, from
which important results GU this account
are expected is the Kansas City, Mem phis
and Birmingham. 1t is upon the approach
of this new line that Birmingham real
estate boomers are most Wanting them
selves. 1t Will bring the products of the
Northwest, the grain and the meats dis
tributed from Kansas City, with the cot
ton that centres at Memphis, down 10
Birmingham, where, according to the lat
ter towns boast, Is 10 De new distribut-
ing point for the South; but when there is
calm consideration OF the matter it seems
likely that Savannah almost, il not quite,
as much as Birmingham, will be profited
by the newcomer; for by way OF this new
line from Kansas City to Birmingham,
and thence by the Georgia Central on to
Savannah, products ior export can be put
upon ocean steamers by travelling 450
less miles than to any other Atlantic
seaport. Savannah's harbor already is
able to receive almost every sort and
size of seagOing vessel, but there are
imperative needs, so her home friends
insist, for further improvement, The
general government has already given
$1,000, 900 on this account, and 22-foOt
channel has been made from the city to
the sea, but 2S-io0t depth Is now de-
manded, and few weeks ago when |
happened to be in town a memorial had
been drawn up by Mayor Lester, Presi-
dent Hull, of the Board of Trade; Presl-
dent Flannery, OF the Cotton Exchange,
and other public spirited citizens, show
ing what they regarded as reasons sufti-
cient to warrant mere generosity upon
the part OF Congress.
1t was great day for Savannah
when, adopting the spirit of the new
South, she came to care, If not less for
the loneliness Of her looks, at least more
for the substantial things of her market,
her warehouses, her wharyes, her harbor
aud her factories multiplying. Il. A.